Training duo Peter and Paul Snowden prove extremely popular with owners ahead of two-year-old season

The popularity of training partnership Peter and Paul Snowden following their decision to go it alone rather than continue with Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation has been spectacular to say the least.Further proof of their acceptance to owners is evident in the 2016 Golden Slipper nominations. A total of 206 rising two-year-old’s are on their books.

What is quite extraordinary is that the Snowdens’ list of yearlings purchased at the major Australian sales reveals that five of the highest-priced seven buys are under their supervision at Randwick, and they also have 10 of the top 20 sold.Bloodlines is a Golden Slipper tragic, having seen every race run since its inception in 1957 live at Rosehill, and never before have I seen a trainer with a better team of so many high-priced and superbly bred yearlings.The Snowdens’ list of clients is testimony to their dedication and overseas owners have been quick to get on their bandwagon.They include:

• Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who bought four yearlings for $4.54 million, including the $2.2 million salestopper by Snitzel from Admirelle. The Sheikh also has three colts by Fastnet Rock and a filly by Snitzel which he bred with Snowden.
• China Horse Club, whose owner is Teo Ah Khing and their bloodstock representative is the New Zealand-based Michael Wallace. He spent $6.82 million on 15 yearlings, buying four in partnership with leading Kentucky farms Stonestreet and Winstar, as well as UK-based Andrew Penfold and NZ agent Bruce Perry.
• James Harron, the former Irish-based consultant who signed for 24 yearlings – all colts – in partnership with Peter Snowden and a number of US-based breeders, outlaying $7.17 million, two of them in partnership with top US agent John Moynihan.
• Peter Snowden signed for five lots for clients, spending $1.54 million, the top lot being $850,000 for a Fastnet Rock filly.
• There were another nine yearlings bought by other clients for $5.17 million, with Coolmore paying $1.75 million for a Fastnet Rock filly, Adrian Nicol $1.3 million for a Fastnet Rock filly and Kitchwin Hills $750,000 for a Snitzel colt, and the Queen’s racing manager John Warren $350,000 for a Fastnet Rock colt in partnership with Tom Magnier.
• Triple Crown syndications, who have their horses with Snowden racing, have 12 yearlings on their books which cost $1,160,000.

The overall cost of these yearlings bought from the sale ring was just on $29 million and there are another 15 Slipper hopefuls from private breeders, including five by Fastnet Rock and three by Snitzel.Taking their values into consideration and the 15 yearlings would have fetched a collective total in excess of another $5-6 million.A total of 86 yearlings nominated for the Slipper are by Fastnet Rock and the Snowden’s have 16 of them. They have 11 Snitzels, nine Northern Meteors, six Sepoys, five Sebrings, four Exceed And Excels and Smart Missiles, three More Than Readys and two I Am Invincibles and Lonhros among his arsenal.Godolphin leads the Slipper entries with trainer John O’Shea, having 158 rising two-year-old’s all sired by Sheikh Mohammed’s stallions.Lonhro leads the way with 34 ahead of the deceased Street Cry (28), Exceed And Excel (17) and Medaglia d’Oro (14), who sired this year’s Slipper winner Vancouver and shares the same number as the recently passed on Commands.Sepoy, Helmet and New Approach all have eight, Bernardini (six), Ad Valorem and Reset (four), Domesday (three), Hard Spun, Poet’s Voice, Benefica and Skilled all two, with Street Boss and the Irish-based Invincible Spirit one each.Gai Waterhouse, a six-time Golden Slipper winner, once again has huge representation with 113, ahead of David Hayes (86), Chris Waller (83) and Team Hawkes (65).Snitzel has the greatest number of entries by a stallion, with 106 of his progeny paid up. Fastnet Rock (86), Sebring (77), More Than Ready and Northern Meteor both have 62, ahead of Exceed And Excel, Street Cry, Redoute’s Choice and Medaglia d’Oro.The leading first-season sires are Smart Missile (78), Foxwedge (57), Sepoy (53), So You Think (26) and Helmet (25).